Tuesday, January 9, 2007:
The First Day: Welcome to Alpha Company, You Got to Go!!!!

(Written on Friday January 12, 2007 while pulling Fire Guard duty 03:00 - 05:00 AM for those that don't know)

We boarded the bus to go to the airport shortly after you and mom left.I was group leader for a female, male and myself, but another male by himself had never been to an airport so I unofficially became his leader. I got us and all of our documents safely to Charolette, NC. While flying (BTW the two males had never flown) two new experiences happened for me; 1) I have never seen a rainbow in air (it is actually an oval/ a ring not a bow shape); 2) we flew right through several clouds where the wings that I sat by cut though them. It was pretty cool. Then from NC we flew to Columbia, SC. We flew on a little charter plane that seats about 50 and you bored off the tarmac that you walk out onto. That was neat. At the airport we met Sgt. Bryant and he had all of us at Parade rest while giving us a motivational speech and preparing us. I was able to call you, but it was hard to talk as it was pinching at my emotions.

We then were bused to Ft. Jackson (about 20 minutes away from Columbia). Believe it or not I was calm. The base is huge. We got off the bus and had a minute to get of, claim bags and line up. We actually did it. We were escorted into the rubber room (called this so when you pass out it doesn't hurt as bad when you fall, also known as the blood room). We dropped our bags, were briefed, went into a classroom where we were assigned our roster # & platoon #. I'm A204/04. Oh, we can't receive letters at reception, hence no address given. We were yelled at like crazy by the Sgt. (E-6). People turned in cell phones in here. We went back to the rubber room where we had to dump out bags. People were not moving fast enough and so the DS (Jones- I can't remember) told Sgt. to smoke us. The Sgt. said no because he can't as a Sgt. (2006 rules) suppose to be changed, a lot of confusion and at this moment I realized there were a lot of problems at the Ft. J. base. What was in store for us? However while at Parade rest DS talked with Sgt. about smoking us for him (because of people still moving to slow). Then we got into front leaning rest position (push-up) and had to hold it a little over 5 minutes. While they discussed how many push ups we were to do. My body was shaking so bad. Then we had to do 10 push-ups, but start over if anyone dropped to their knees. I dropped once, but they didn't make us start over. When we got up there was sweat around the floor by my feet and pouring off my face. The Sgt was a little concerned and asked if I was alright. I felt like I was going to pass out. I couldn't make out his eyes, but I said yeah and then he asked "what" I quickly caught myself and said yes, Sgt. We then proceeded to empty our contraband (me-cough drops). We got smoked again because people would not zip up their coats, hide their necklace, etc. One female just sat there and refused to do it, but she finally did. We then got our bags and went and got our laundry bag, gloves, beanie hat, PT sweatshirt and pants, trunks, long sleeve PT Shirts, short sleeves PT shirts and one towel. We then ran down hill to our new company barracks during reception. We then got our sheets (2), blanket, and pillow (no pillow cases) and our canteen after standing outside in the cold (no gloves, hat, etc.) for approx. 1 hour and 35 minutes at parade rest (kills your shoulders). When we got our bedding we were tested for shoe size (normal arches for me). We were told we could lay down for a few minutes before formation. I got the bottom bunk (YES)! I had 30 minutes of sleep and then at 2:40 a.m. we had to go to formation (parade rest again) until 4:58 a.m. I thought you said you don't stand in formation longer than 30 minutes, Mike?! My shoulders and back kill!!!

We went to chow - I couldn't eat - I was sick and the food was nasty. We then went and started processing - PES - Medical. This is where my hell starts . . .